Enhancing Singapore's Construction Profitability: ConSASS Compliance and Digital Solutions for Safety and Efficiency
The Construction Tender Price Index and Its Influence on Singapore's Construction Landscape
The Construction Tender Price Index (TPI) is a critical economic indicator in Singapore's construction industry, providing valuable insights into cost movements within the sector. Various agencies, including the Building and Construction Authority (BCA), Housing Development Board (HDB), AECOM Cost Consulting and Project Management (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. (AECOM), Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB), and Asia Infrastructure Solutions Singapore Pte Ltd (AIS), have experienced a steady increase in TPI over the years.
Source: Singapore Construction Tender Price Index 2023 - Q1
As of Q1 2023, the graph depicts a consistent trend of rising tender prices in the construction market, with RLB having the highest tender price index of 141.6. This indicates that RLB's construction projects are subject to higher costs than the base year 2010, which may impact project budgets and financial planning. Therefore, it is crucial for management and project stakeholders to manage project costs and adopt cost-effective strategies to ensure the profitability and success of their construction ventures as TPI continues to rise.
Understanding the factors contributing to the escalating TPI is vital for construction companies navigating the ever-evolving construction landscape of Singapore. Inflationary pressures, economic growth, supply chain dynamics, regulatory changes, currency fluctuations, and technological advancements are some of the reasons behind the increase. Such insights into cost trends empower organisations to make informed decisions, devise cost-effective strategies, and navigate challenges posed by the dynamic construction market.
Higher tender prices indicate an increase in expenses for labour, materials, equipment, and other resources required for construction projects. To compensate for these rising costs, some contractors may resort to cost-saving measures, which could inadvertently impact safety practices on construction sites.
In their pursuit of cost-saving solutions, construction companies must exercise caution not to compromise safety measures. Cutting corners on safety expenses or rushing construction work to save time could endanger workers and lead to accidents and injuries. Larger construction projects involve significant resources, higher workforce numbers, and intricate construction activities inherently pose greater risks to workers' safety and health.
Balancing cost considerations with safety is of utmost importance. Instead of undermining safety protocols, construction companies can explore adopting cost-effective strategies and leveraging digital tools to optimise safety practices and project outcomes. By prioritising worker safety and utilising technological advancements, construction firms can create a safer work environment while navigating the challenges posed by the dynamic construction market.
In line with this commitment to safety, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) ensures that higher-risk projects with a contract sum of more than $30 million undergo a comprehensive safety audit using the Construction Safety Audit Scoring System (ConSASS). This approach allows MOM to dedicate resources and attention to projects with greater safety implications. Inspections aim to prevent accidents and injuries while promoting a positive safety culture among workers, ensuring safety measures are efficiently implemented, fostering continuous improvement, and providing valuable records to track safety performance over time.
In this article, we will explore what are the ConSASS audit guidelines and how digital tools, specifically construction safety management systems, can aid in meeting ConSASS audit requirements.
What is ConSASS?
Construction Safety Audit Scoring System (ConSASS) is a unified Safety and Health Management System (SHMS) assessment protocol that ensures construction sites adhere to safety guidelines. Construction companies with worksites with a contract sum of S$30 million or more must undergo mandatory safety and health management system (SHMS) audits using the ConSASS protocol. These ConSASS audits must be conducted at least once every six months by an approved independent external auditing organisation.
ConSASS Audit Requirements
The primary purpose of ConSASS audit is to enhance safety standards in the construction industry by systematically evaluating workplace safety. It aims to:
Identify Hazards: ConSASS inspections assess construction sites to identify potential hazards and risks, ensuring they are promptly addressed to prevent accidents and injuries.
Standardise Safety Management: ConSASS employs a unified assessment method and scoring system, fostering consistency in auditing processes and allowing cross-comparison of worksites' capabilities in managing safety and health risks.
Profile Maturity Levels: By grouping questions into three bands reflecting increasing maturity levels, ConSASS helps profile the maturity level of each element of the SHMS. This enables site management to focus on specific elements for improvement.
Ensure Compliance: ConSASS aligns with ISO 45001 high-level structure and other relevant codes of practice, ensuring construction sites comply with safety regulations and standards.
Enable Client Assurance: Clients and stakeholders can assess contractors' capabilities in managing safety risks, facilitating informed decisions when awarding contracts.
How Digital Construction Management Software Streamlines ConSASS Compliance
Navigating the intricate landscape of ConSASS audit requirements demands a robust and integrated solution. Leveraging cutting-edge technology can be a game-changer for construction companies striving to achieve ConSASS objectives. Let's delve into how Hubble Workforce Management System and Hubble Safety Management System serve as powerful tools to seamlessly guide companies towards ConSASS compliance.
Informed Decisions through Dashboard Insights
Improve your ConSASS compliance with the Hubble Workforce Management System's intuitive dashboard. Gain visibility into contractors and workers, analyse attendance trends, assess contractor performance, and differentiate between local and foreign workers across projects. Elevate your decision-making by focusing safety efforts where they matter most.
Efficient Workforce Scheduling and Attendance Management
Address ConSASS requirements effortlessly. Hubble Workforce Management System aligns workforce competencies with tasks, calculates shift hours, and enhances productivity. Manual scheduling conflicts become a thing of the past, as Hubble streamlines your workforce management.
Enhanced Security Measures for Regulatory Compliance
Hubble Workforce Management System enhances security and ensures ConSASS compliance by integrating biometric facial recognition and GPS tracking, preventing time theft and unauthorised access, fortifying work site security, and upholding regulatory adherence.
Certification Compliance Monitoring
Ensure ConSASS compliance with ease using Hubble Workforce Management System. The system tracks work permits, passports, and certification expiration and sends timely notifications for renewal to avoid penalties and maintain competent workforces.
Synergistic Safety Management
The Hubble Workforce Management System is integrated with the Hubble Safety Management System to ensure that only qualified workers with synced attendance engage in critical tasks. It also aligns with ConSASS by seamlessly managing permit-to-work.
Prioritising Worker Well-being
Hubble’s Manpower Attendance Module ensures worker safety by monitoring overtime hours, preventing fatigue-related risks, aligning with ConSASS's focus on worker well-being.
Schedule a demo with us to learn more about the Hubble Workforce Management System
Dashboard Insights for Proactive Safety Management
Manage ConSASS compliance with real-time safety data and prioritise safety by monitoring project progress and identifying high-risk activities with Hubble Safety Management System's dynamic dashboard insights.
Efficient Toolbox Meeting Transformation
Revolutionise safety talks with Hubble's Toolbox Meeting Module. Efficiently brief workers, digitally sign-off attendees, and streamline safety discussions. Embrace ConSASS's emphasis on effective communication.
Precise Permit-to-Work Management
Hubble's Permit to Work Module ensures compliance with ConSASS permit management standards. Real-time GPS tracking and alerts prevent overlap and breaches, allowing for precise permit control.
Seamless Safety Inspections
Navigate safety inspections easily with the Hubble Safety Management System. Customise checklists for company-wide and project-specific inspections, get real-time reporting, and use integrated PTW to enhance accountability and safety.
Real-Time Alerts and Fines for Safety Breaches
Uphold ConSASS standards with Hubble's Safety Inspection Module. Instant alerts and fines ensure swift action on safety breaches. Strengthen accountability and cultivate a safety-conscious culture.
Uncompromising Equipment Safety
Prioritise equipment safety by using the Hubble’s Equipment Inspection Module to ensure up-to-date certifications and servicing, preventing equipment risks from expired certificates.
Incident Management and Continuous Improvement
Use Hubble's Incident Management and Lessons Learnt Module to uphold ConSASS principles. Streamline investigations with the 5M model, report incidents on the go, capture evidence with GPS tracking, and drive improvements to safeguard workers and foster a learning culture.
Case Study: Koh Brothers' Journey to ISO 45001 Certification and CCL6 Project
Koh Brothers Building & Civil Engineering Contractor Pte Ltd (KBCE), a leading construction company in Singapore, achieved ISO 45001 certification in 2018. In the same year, they were awarded the S$225.4 million Circle Line 6 (CCL6) project. They aligned their safety processes with ConSASS guidelines and adopted digital tools for improved safety. Hubble Safety Management System and Hubble Workforce Management System has reinforced the company's reputation as a reliable construction company prioritising safety for the CCL6 project and delivering high-quality infrastructure projects.
Embrace ConSASS Guidelines with Digital Solution
In conclusion, as the TPI continues to rise, construction companies in Singapore must manage project costs effectively while safeguarding worker safety. ConSASS plays a vital role in enhancing safety standards by identifying hazards, standardising safety management, and ensuring compliance with regulations. By leveraging digital tools such as construction safety management systems, companies can meet ConSASS audit requirements, streamline safety processes, and maintain a focus on worker well-being. Embracing ConSASS guidelines and adopting digital solutions will be crucial for sustainable growth and success in Singapore's dynamic construction industry.
Schedule a demo to learn how Hubble can enhance your safety inspections today.
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